Posts Thanked By User

41

General Discussion / Thanks to Lord Cove

« on: November 27, 2008, 01:10:44 pm »

Think most (if not all) the people on the quest yesterday would agree it was well done, although I did not get to see the end I had a lot of fun participating and being able to do some G'ork-like things

Good setup, nice interaction with NPCs and well thought out.

Thanks again.

42

General Discussion / To Harlas and the Main Plot Team

« on: November 22, 2008, 09:11:23 pm »

I've only been on three of these now, but I just wanted to say - it makes the server feel different and I really appreciate your efforts.  When you bring in a plot that has the authority to dictate world events, it really makes everybody's heads turn in the same direction.  And it's neat to have that community-wide direction.

Even if we end up killing each other.  O.o


Haven't felt like this in-game for a while.  Pretty neat stuff.  Thanks.

43

Development Journals and Discussion / A Tale of Vampires

« on: November 21, 2008, 11:25:38 am »

A Tale of Vampires

As told by Jaelle Thornwood to Trouble Tempest in the Flaming Phoenix Inn in Audira one night.


//Please note, this is a story for you, the players, to enjoy, as it is too good a quest series not to tell. However, your characters will have to learn the details in game for themselves. Much of what you will read should be considered OOC knowledge, and even then not fully the truth. This was Jaelle's telling of it, full of her own biases and still carefully edited to protect both the innocent and the not so innocent.

Alright, that said ... enjoy!

44

General Discussion / World Announcement! *claps*

« on: October 29, 2008, 03:46:12 pm »

[SIZE=16]May I present to you an announcement that will shake the foundations of countries all over the globe:

"The coolest person ever was born on Friday the 24.th of October! I present to you, my newly born daughter - Tilde!"[/SIZE]


This means that I will not be able to check the forums as often in the upcoming weeks. Nor will I be able to be present in-game a lot. I'll check my inbox as often as time allows it of course, but patience is a virtue.

[SIZE=10](pronounciation of 'Tilde' in English is awkward [/SIZE]

45

Rumour Has It / Journey's End

« on: October 25, 2008, 10:11:01 am »

*Two forlorn figures lead a small cart to Folian's Temple in the depths of the Forst of Fog. Wordlessly, the older of the two figures, a lean man of middle years, takes from the cart the linen-wrapped body of his fallen friend and companion. Nearby, at the shoulder of the second figure, she a lithe younger woman who watches the scene through reddened eyes, a white-faced Belinaran monkey chitters and fidgets, distress and confusion written large in all-too-human expressions.

Moving slowly under the weight of his lifeless burden, the man approaches the High Priest of the Temple of the Longstrider. Carefully, gently, he lays the corpse to the sward at his feet.*

A fallen son of the Prince of Wolves.

*whispered*

Rest well nephew.

*With a nod towards his lady companion, the man quickly and quietly departs the temple to find the fallen's father and mother and tell them of life's greatest curse .. to outlive one's child.*




[size=-3]// The end of Trouble Tempest //[/size]

46

Rumour Has It / The War in Belinara comes closer!

« on: October 18, 2008, 07:07:58 pm »

As Sasha moves around she spreads the word as best she can.

I have just returned once again from Belinara and know this! You may think you are safe! You may think here that a war half a world away can never come to you...but know this.

Westgate has fallen! Kuhl is all but in the hands of the enemy. Now it appears Nesar is capitulating to the Dragon Stealers giving them control over almost the entire northern half of Belinara.

Still no interest? Well let me tell you this little fact! The Dragon Stealers have spies moving through Arnax, this is how it began in Kuhl, and even worse.....Nesar have agreed to supply the Dragon Stealers with FLEETS! Not a few ships! FLEETS! Now I see some of you understand the import of that fact! With fleets suddenly Mistone is not so safe! Belinara is just an ocean away! Soon you may have Drachs, Dragons and Dragon Stealers running around in your own front yard! Then what will you do!

Queen Alise, General Telos and Lord Alexander are gathering together supplies and equipment and soldiers in their mission to gather an army in Hilm to drive out the Dragon Stealers for good!

Others like myself seek ways to bring down the Dragon Stealers and prevent them gaining any further advantages. Fleets are a priority, if you want to help, help us devise a way to destroy the fleets of the Nesar before they fall into the hands of the Dragon Stealers!

47

Rumour Has It / Goldwin Blacknight - Life of a Hero

« on: October 16, 2008, 01:43:46 pm »

It is with the greatest of sadness that I write this letter to inform all those who knew Goldwin Blacknight, of his passing. He died as he lived protecting the innocent and less fortunate. He died saving the life of a child. There can be no greater sacrifice given, than a life given to save another.
 
 I write to tell you of his courageous spririt, of his giving heart. Of a friend who will be missed and never forgotten. He always offered to help where he could, and protect those he loved with a understanding that his life was lived for more than just the trivial possesions, but to help those who needed him to become better people.
 
 I am one of those who became better for knowing him and I will never forget my treasured friend.
 
 Goldwin Blacknight will be sorely missed, walk always in the light Goldwin Blacknight.
 
 With a deep respect and fond friendship,
 ~Elohanna Dawnstar

48

Poetic License / Keppli Clever Clogs Quickhands

« on: October 11, 2008, 01:15:53 pm »

Keppli Clever Clogs Quickhands,
the cleverst girl in town.
Keppli Clever Clogs Quickhands,
pretends to be the clown.

She's smarter than a wizard,
and wiser than the owl,
quicker than a lizard,
in apple green cape and cowl.

She runs through tress and forest glades,
she doesn't have a care,
with sword and dagger blades,
a twirling death affair.

Keppli Clever Clogs Quickhands,
that halfling girl's a star,
Keppli Clever Clogs Quickhands,
the brightest one by far!

from the jottings of Rockhead Howling Wolf, Dwarven Bard

49

General Discussion / Layo fanart

« on: October 08, 2008, 11:06:35 am »

Okay not sure if anyone else has done any Layo art but... if not then here is some! I was a bit bored when the server was down, so I decided to draw the troupe 'Two halves and a Pint'. I know it's not very good, but I was just trying to see if I could get the characters across by doing a mixture of :
a- looking at the portraits
b- remembering the clothes worn in-game
c- some.. err... imagination?

Anyways, sorry in advance if I haven't done them well, but I hope you all like it anyway... even if you don't, as long as this makes you laugh!

P.S. looks a bit blurry at first, but click on the pic for 'full-view' and you can see it better.
Thanks

50

Layonara Server / Donations & The Future of NWN

« on: October 01, 2008, 11:36:47 pm »

Hello again,

I've received a couple queries to the status of donations which I wanted to address with the upcoming changes to the servers.

Essentially what we've always hoped for in terms of donations was enough to offset the costs to host NWN.  That was five servers and their bandwidth.  At its peak, Leanthar was paying over $500 a month for these servers.  Over the summer it was closer to $300, but the charges were going to be over $1000 a month with the new billing structure.  An impossible price.

The donations always helped and each of us was always afraid of the potential of Leanthar just really not being able to cut it any more.  I lost sleep when he told me of the new pricing and the inevitability of the downtime.  In the end Leanthar and I both had many reasons for finding every way possible to keep NWN going.  Despite the financial weight which could be better spent, the occasional stress, the time lost better spent on future development, we really want NWN to keep serving our world.

There are a lot of people who help right now, the developers, the gamemasters, the character approvers, the lore team, the writers, the mmo team who have all helped us in the direction we seek and to continue to serve Layonara as a magnificent world realized in the form of a video game.  To not bridge the time from now until the release of the mmo with a video game entity of Layonara would in our minds have been a disservice to everyone who helps out.  Then there's the rest of the community, those who have been here for long times and those of you who have just fallen in love with Layonara.  Despite the very limited amount of rotten apples in the orchard, we really enjoy hearing about the great times you've had.  Your creative outlets both in game and in the forums.  Your community spirit and support.  

It is also no secret, we are hoping each of you will see NWN to the other side, and give us a chance in our future generation. Having even a fairly small starting community will be a boon to attracting more folks.  Especially those very well versed in roleplay and its potential for enjoyment.  And I certainly know the benefits in terms of seeking beta testers with technical aptitude.  I truly hope we can carry this weight that NWN can sometimes be across the bridge.  There are still concerns beyond the financial strain.  The most important being time dealing with the inevitable issues that serving the world brings up.

Finally on a personal note, where would I be without having some Plenarius time?  I'm not ready to just write him off in a story, I want to play it out where it all started.

So we have taken quite a downsize, we've lost 7 servers, 5 for NWN which will be combined into 2 in Montreal. 1 for DB and fileshare, and 1 to run West and Central. We'll probably have to do without a Quest server unless we can run a third module on the one server, which Dorganath and I doubt.  We also lost 2 of our development servers.   All of our hosting, 5 servers, is now in Montreal. 4 of these are paid by OneST8, one of them is piggy backed with some of our (him and I) other personal pages.  The 5th one we're getting tomorrow/Friday will be paid by me.  The tasks the 2 development servers from San Jose handled are now squeezed into the 3 remaining servers in Montreal. We have assurances from EdTheKet, Dorganath and Thak that they can help the financial strain if necessary.

So here's the deal, if you want to keep helping out to say thanks for fronting the cost of the bandwidth and server for NWN, keep donating.  With that said, the truth is that we will continue to eat the costs ourselves regardless if you donate or not as the servers will be used for our future whether they host NWN or not.  NWN Layonara is in good hands for now, but be willing to accept its inevitable departure, hopefully with fair warning.

If you want to say thanks to Leanthar for all he's paid in the past until now then donate.  (Expenses incurred are over $20,000, that is minus all past donations.)
If you want to help OneST8 and I foot the bill, hey thanks... donate. (Average monthly bill for the two NWN servers will be $200)
If you're excited about our future and wish to help us in that regard, donations are welcome.

To recap, you owe us nothing but continuing to enjoy the world, or if you have the time, continuing to volunteer as you can and hopefully you will give us a chance with the future generation of Layonara.  

If for whatever reason you just can't donate.  It's cool, don't feel bad, we'll do our best to stay alive. Alas, all good things eventually come to an end, but we're pretty confident we'll have a phoenix rising from the ashes.  Hope to see you there to witness it!

-James

51

General Discussion / Tanman quest delayed!

« on: September 26, 2008, 06:04:49 am »

Just letting those know who are coming that Tanman is running half an hour late!

52

Introduce Yourself / Re-Introduction

« on: September 25, 2008, 09:58:05 am »

Hey, I just wanted to say Hi to all the people who've come into this place in the one year that I've been out of it. I'm back now and I look forward to meeting and making friends or atleast aquantences with as any of you guys as I can.
 
 My name's Jess, I'm gonna be 20 this December (oh gods Im OLD >.<), and I like...well ..Roleplay obviously. My other interests are music (singing, playing violin and viola), writing of any kind, and....I need some outdoor hobbies bad. I need a bike again *nodnod*
 
 As for who I played. I really just had one character: An Illusionist named Rhynnala Asantiani with an astounding hatred for the slave trade. She's actually in hiding from the remnents of the Silver Crescent, and where she is she hasn't yet gotten the news of Sallaron's victory, though if she did she'd be proud.
 
 Ill be playing a Mistite wizard as soon as she's approved.
 
 I'm a 3rd year magazine journalism student, and I want to wind up writing for videogame magazines. I actually hope to, sometime before my career is done, be able to interview some of the developers here on what they're doing >.> and get a peice out about them. Who knows, maybe I can pitch it to game informer or something.
 
 Whoah, tangent.
 
 Anyway, I also happen to work in gaming retail , its hell, but it can be fun. No, you can't have my discounts =P!
 
 Anyway, Ill put some contact information here, so if anyone wants to talk or anything feel free I don't shun anyone! =P
 
 MSN: lynnjuniper@msn.com
 
 PS: To L: Bummer about the whole server thing. That sucks. Hope you find a new host.

53

Ask A Gamemaster / So....I need a bit of information.

« on: September 24, 2008, 09:03:56 pm »

1) I heard you guys have this funky thing called the Al'Noth now. I know that's magic, basically, but is there anything else that makes it different from the Weave as it was before? I know you guys are kinda limited right now by the NWN engine. But is there something I need to know?

   a) If the Al'Noth now equals the Weave, I have questions about using spells from the d20 srd in RP/DM supervised/approved situations. I know certain DMs used to allow this to a certain extent. Is it still that way, or has it become a hard coded no due to moving away from D&D. Are we still allowed to be creative? For example, Illusions, Enchantments, ecetera that aren't neccesarily given to use by NWN's RP lacking spellbooks.

2)  I need any and all information that can be spared about The Great Desert reigion and about Audiria if possible.

3)  So, what's been going on with Mistites lately that would be common knowledge, anything I can't find on the boards?

and finally

4) I've been gone forever! Like, atleast 12 In game years. What have I missed? Can someone summerize in like three to five paragraphs everything that's happened since...Oh lets say, before Dissolution say right after Milara met with the bunch of adventurers. Anything that would be common knowledge. Or if there's one handy dandy link I can look at.


Yeah.....By the way...Hello again. >.> I'm kinda..toying with playing a bit SO Hi Everyboody!

54

Trade and Market Hall / I Challenge YOU!

« on: September 22, 2008, 06:50:30 am »

*A tall blonde haired woman, muscular and athletic, dressed in heavy plate and bearing a large bladed sword on her hip stands atop a stall in the Trade square crying out over the crowds around her to gather attention. Once a sizable crowd has stopped or gathered to see what it is she has to say she begins in a loud voice used to shouting at people on the battlefield.*

Some of you may know me, many others may not. I am Sasha Tomyris, formally from a village outside Fort vehl. By now I imagine that most of you, unless you have been hiding under a rock these last few days will know of the war in Kuhl in Belinara. Well, Now Westgate has fallen, the Queen has been driven from her country and people die every day as dragons fly over the land and darken the skies with the places they burn and destroy.

Some of you may think this is far from here, that it will never affect you but you only have to remember the Dragon attacks on Leringard and Mariners Hold to know it is never to far for a Dragon!

I come to you now, I call upon those of you who cannot or are unable to carry a sword into battle, who cannot stand on the front line with me, to help like people just like you did in the Bloodstone Wars. People like you stood up and were counted, you did what you could when you could.  I tell you now these people need your help. We need your help!

Kuhl needs to be saved...and in so doing we can drive these Dragon cults back to where they came from and put an end to the Dragon threats they use against us.

I personally have donated 400,000 true to this cause to start the ball rolling. Sala Stonehill pledged 50,000 true...how much will you donate? What will you donate?

I Challenge you!

// If you are willing, particularly the guilds!, please list here what you are willing or able to donate and then hand the stuff over to a GM to dispose of on behalf of Kuhl please.

55

Quests Ideas and Discussion / Segem Story Arc

« on: September 20, 2008, 09:45:14 am »

// A thread to discuss the  "Stone Head"(1), Well, Well, Well, and Cruel To Be Kind story arc. Children In The Temple occurred out of "Well, Well, Well" and led into "Cruel To Be Kind", thanks largely to Jaelle Thornwood's efforts. Grim Faces In Vehl, Grisly Find In Vehl, and Horror In Leringard come out of "Cruel To Be Kind". //



[SIZE=10](1) "Stone Head" was originally ran as one of Pseudonym's Monday night regulars (not titled as such) way back when. I don't have logs that far back and thus can't provide the calendar event for it or who was actually involved (apart from my own character), but there are a few characters around who participated in it.[/SIZE]

56

General Discussion / Going to be gone for a while

« on: September 17, 2008, 04:50:15 pm »

I'm sorry to say that work is demanding more of my time. I can not play online as much as I would like. It looks like it will be like this till about Feb 09. I'll still troll the forums often, I just can not a lot much time to actual play.

The RP reason for Beli's absence is he needs to spend more time in the family mine and with his newly developed family. Buddy has gone as well to help in the mine and will surface when the time is right to strike.

57

Rumour Has It / When travelling into the Kuhl Kingdom...

« on: September 16, 2008, 08:41:36 am »

... coming up the road from the south of Belinara (Nesar Kingdom), you experience drastic changes ...

----------------------------------------

Already in Nith and later in Fort Miritix you hear several rumours concerning Kuhl. They range from horror stories about demon cullings to tales about the peaceful state of the land thanks to their draconic protectors. It seems that more dragons have emerged - Bastion, Protector of Phal, is no longer alone.

As you enter the Kuhl Kingdom you notice a change of atmosphere. At first it is nothing you can point your finger at, but as you reach Vilsar you feel and see it everywhere - Kuhl is preparing for war. Everywhere there are posters asking young men and women to sign up for the army. Outside the city you notice large camps alongside training grounds for cavalry, archers and pikemen. There is no panic on the hamlets and villages, nor on the streets, but people are slowly filing into the city from the country, leaving their farms behind.
Queen Alise Langovale has ordered the city militias on full alert and has passed on authority to the lords of each city to raise armies. Nothing has yet been said about the 'why', so people are speculating. Many feel, however, that it has to do with the unrest up north.

You travel to Amaria and encounter more patrols and check points along the road there. The state of affairs here is no different than what you experienced in Vilsar - although preparations have gone further here. You stay here only shortly before continuing to Westgate, the capitol of Kuhl.

The military presence increases as you travel north and you follow a small regiment of soldiers that is dispatched from Amaria to Westgate. Even though there is good natured talking along the way, the men and women are tense and know very little about their objectives.

As you reach Westgate you join a mile-long line of fugitives waiting to enter the city. People are pushing and at one point a panic nearly breaks out. For hours you wait and movement happens in small increments - it seems that everyone entering the city is checked and has to answer questions. When it comes to you, you decide to be truthful (at least to a certain degree) and admit that you are adventurers who have come to Kuhl to see what is going on here. After long explanations inside a guard office you are allowed to enter the city, but also asked to return to the guard office in case of emergency - it seems they count on you to help in the fighting, should such a time arise. Probably partially the reason for allowing you entrance.

Westgate is a city preparing for an attack. There are soldiers and commoners everywhere. Farmers are selling their wares for outrageous prices, but the city is passing out rations to the needy twice a day, so that no one will starve... for now at least. Discipline is strict to keep a sense of lawfulness and peace within the city and the military seems efficient and well trained. Ballistas have been arrayed on top of the city walls and archers are posted at every murder hole - Westgate is waiting for something. What? No one seems to exactly know. At least none of those you speak to or are willing to speak with you.

Finally you leave Westgate behind, aiming for either Tammil or Tulam. A few miles along the road north take you to a blockade. A military outpost has been hastily erected here and few people are allowed to pass. Once you tell that you come from Westgate the soldier in charge lets you know that they cannot let you pass the blockade and risk you falling into the hands of the enemy, where you might share tactical information about Westgate and the disposition of it's troops.
Furthermore you are warned that going north takes you into enemy territory - although no one elaborates on what that actually means. It seems that only officers know anything about what is going on.

Among those who file through the blockade from the north there is talk about street fighting in Tulam - it seems that a city militia is fighting for every home and defending every street mouth against the enemy. People are uncertain, however, as for how long they will be able to keep up the resistance. Tammil is lost, so say the rumours.

58

Rumour Has It / Posted in taverns, mercenary camps, and...

« on: September 16, 2008, 12:02:12 am »

... all places soldiers of fortune and adventurers are apt to frequent.

[SIZE=18]My name is Steel. Dread Blade mercenary of Leringard. Born in the demon lands of Belinara, I've travelled extensively, seen the worst and the best... Drank a lot of ale.

So I'm looking for the best. The toughest independent blades and brightest spell slingers. More importantly, I'm looking for those that are just a little crazy.

The job is one that few ever contemplate, and fewer still would dare. If you think you have what it takes, if you can stare death in the face, or if you just want to go out in a flash of glory, find me.

We will discuss the job and the terms of employment.[/SIZE][/FONT]

The document is signed and stamped with the shadow of a panther.


//// While this suggests an event for PC's of higher level, if your PC feels they have what it takes, please feel free to role play that. Here's my OOC warning, however: Steel didn't suggest you needed to be a little crazy for nothing... ////

59

General Discussion / Thanks to all...

« on: September 13, 2008, 10:32:15 pm »

..who attended the masquerade ball and made it a great time.  All the musicians and performers did a great job, the costumes top notch, and the rp by all even better.

60

Layonara Server / Can't Connect Today/Last Night (or laggy)

« on: August 30, 2008, 10:45:59 am »

There are a few people reporting that they could not connect to the server last night and a few are still reporting that for today. I have also seen reports of the server being laggy.
 
 A few things.
 
 1) The company hosting the servers had problems yesterday with their core router. They sent me an email at 5:59pm stating they would be doing emergency repairs on their core router at 6pm. Sadly I did not check my emails until early this morning so I did not know this was happening and could not give you any updates. Sorry about that.
 2) It seems that their emergency maintenance took quite a long time (at least 30 minutes) but the servers are up now.
 3) I have restarted the world servers so the lag should be cleared. I don't know why they would be laggy due to the down time that the company caused but perhaps they did, I rebooted them just to be safe. This should cure the overly laggy issue (see #4 below though).
 4) I don't know what is going on with the some of you not being able to connect to the servers via gamespy or via direct connect. I am able to direct connect just fine (just did a few minutes ago). Currently there are 17 players online (after the server reboot). I am thinking that perhaps the company did something that is causing DNS to update across the internet (though our server IPs remain the same--so perhaps something on their router). If this is the case it will take a while for the information to propagate to the world (no more than 72 hours and probably less than 24 hours--of which it has been at least 12 now)....if this is the problem. I am not sure how else to help here other than to suggest waiting.
 
 Sorry for the inconvience.